Eikichi Kawasaki, SNK's founder, established another company, Playmore Corporation on August 1, 2001, just two months before the original SNK's closure due to bankruptcy in October 30, 2001, to ensure that the company's properties would have an entity that can recover those. On July 2003, Playmore rebranded as SNK Playmore Corporation, seeking to reclaim its original identity. Playmore's resemblance to the original SNK led to a return to the original company name on December 1, 2016.